82 FR 14755 - Vogtle Electric Generating Station, Units 3 and 4; Southern Nuclear Operating Company; IDS Fuse Isolation Panel Additions

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 54 (March 22, 2017)

Page Range		14755-14756
FR Document		2017-05684

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is granting an exemption to allow a departure from the certification information of Tier 1 of the generic design control document (DCD) and is issuing License Amendment Nos. 69 and 68 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF-91 and NPF-92. The COLs were issued to Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., and Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, MEAG Power SPVM, LLC, MEAG Power SPVJ, LLC, MEAG Power SPVP, LLC, Authority of Georgia, and the City of Dalton, Georgia (the licensee); for construction and operation of the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Units 3 and 4, located in Burke County, Georgia. The granting of the exemption allows the changes to Tier 1 information asked for in the amendment. Because the acceptability of the exemption was determined in part by the acceptability of the amendment, the exemption and amendment are being issued concurrently.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 54 (Wednesday, March 22, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 22, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14755-14756]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05684]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 52-025 and 52-026; NRC-2008-0252]


Vogtle Electric Generating Station, Units 3 and 4; Southern 
Nuclear Operating Company; IDS Fuse Isolation Panel Additions

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Exemption and combined license amendment; issuance.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is granting an 
exemption to allow a departure from the certification information of 
Tier 1 of the generic design control document (DCD) and is issuing 
License Amendment Nos. 69 and 68 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF-91 
and NPF-92. The COLs were issued to Southern Nuclear Operating Company, 
Inc., and Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, MEAG 
Power SPVM, LLC, MEAG Power SPVJ, LLC, MEAG Power SPVP, LLC, Authority 
of Georgia, and the City of Dalton, Georgia (the licensee); for 
construction and operation of the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant 
(VEGP) Units 3 and 4, located in Burke County, Georgia.
    The granting of the exemption allows the changes to Tier 1 
information asked for in the amendment. Because the acceptability of 
the exemption was determined in part by the acceptability of the 
amendment, the exemption and amendment are being issued concurrently.

DATES: The exemption and amendment were issued on February 9, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2008-0252 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You 
may obtain publicly-available information related to this document 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2008-0252. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-
3463; email: [email protected]. For technical questions, contact 
the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this document
     NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System 
(ADAMS): You may access publicly available documents online in the NRC 
Library at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the 
search, select ``ADAMS Public Documents'' and then select ``Begin Web-
based ADAMS Search.'' For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC's 
Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-
4737, or by email to [email protected]. The ADAMS accession number 
for each document referenced in this document (if it is available in 
ADAMS) is provided the first time that a document is referenced. The 
request for the amendment and exemption was submitted by letter dated 
September 9, 2016 (ADAMS accession no. ML16253A204).
     NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public 
documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Kallan, Office of New Reactors, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; 
telephone: 301-415-2809; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 14756]]

I. Introduction

    The NRC is granting exemptions from paragraph B of section III, 
``Scope and Contents,'' of appendix D, ``Design Certification Rule for 
the AP1000,'' to part 52 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(10 CFR) and issuing License Amendment Nos. 69 and 68 to COLs, NPF-91 
and NPF-92 respectively, to the licensee. The exemptions are required 
by paragraph A.4 of section VIII, ``Processes for Changes and 
Departures,'' appendix D, to 10 CFR part 52 to allow the licensee to 
depart from Tier 1 information. With the requested amendment, the 
licensee sought proposed changes that would revise the updated final 
safety analysis report (UFSAR) in the form of departures from the 
incorporated plant-specific DCD Tier 2 information. The proposed 
amendment also involves related changes to plant-specific Tier 1 
information, with corresponding changes to the associated COL Appendix 
C information that revise information concerning the details of the 
Class 1E dc and uninterruptible power supply system (IDS), specifically 
adding seven Class 1E fuse panels to the IDS design. These proposed 
changes provide electrical isolation between the non-Class 1E IDS 
battery monitors and their respective Class 1E battery banks.
    Part of the justification for granting the exemptions was provided 
by the review of the amendments. Because the exemption is necessary in 
order to issue the requested license amendment, the NRC granted the 
exemptions and issued the amendments concurrently, rather than in 
sequence. This included issuing a combined safety evaluation containing 
the NRC staff's review of both the exemption request and the license 
amendment. The exemptions met all applicable regulatory criteria set 
forth in 10 CFR 50.12, 10 CFR 52.7, and Section VIII.A.4 of appendix D 
to 10 CFR part 52. The license amendments were found to be acceptable 
as well. The combined safety evaluation is available in ADAMS under 
Accession No. ML16363A436.
    Identical exemption documents (except for referenced unit numbers 
and license numbers) were issued to the licensee for VEGP Units 3 and 4 
(COLs NPF-91 and NPF-92). The exemption documents for VEGP Units 3 and 
4 can be found in ADAMS under Accession Nos. ML16363A422 and 
ML16363A424, respectively. The exemption is reproduced (with the 
exception of abbreviated titles and additional citations) in Section II 
of this document. The amendment documents for COLs NPF-91 and NPF-92 
are available in ADAMS under Accession Nos. ML16363A409 and 
ML16363A420, respectively. A summary of the amendment documents is 
provided in Section III of this document.

II. Exemption

    Reproduced below is the exemption document issued to Vogtle Units 3 
and Unit 4. It makes reference to the combined safety evaluation that 
provides the reasoning for the findings made by the NRC (and listed 
under Item 1) in order to grant the exemption:
    1. In a letter dated September 9, 2016, the licensee requested from 
the Commission an exemption from the provisions of 10 CFR part 52, 
appendix D, Section III.B, as part of license amendment request 16-022, 
``IDS Fuse Isolation Panel Additions (LAR-16-022).''
    For the reasons set forth in Section 3.1 of the NRC staff's Safety 
Evaluation, which can be found in ADAMS under Accession No. 
ML16363A436, the Commission finds that:
    A. The exemption is authorized by law;
    B. the exemption presents no undue risk to public health and 
safety;
    C. the exemption is consistent with the common defense and 
security;
    D. special circumstances are present in that the application of the 
rule in this circumstance is not necessary to serve the underlying 
purpose of the rule;
    E. the special circumstances outweigh any decrease in safety that 
may result from the reduction in standardization caused by the 
exemption; and
    F. the exemption will not result in a significant decrease in the 
level of safety otherwise provided by the design.
    2. Accordingly, the licensee is granted an exemption from the 
certified DCD Tier 1 information, with corresponding changes to 
Appendix C of the COLs as described in the licensee's request dated 
September 9, 2016. This exemption is related to, and necessary for, the 
granting of License Amendment Nos. 69/68, which is being issued 
concurrently with this exemption.
    3. As explained in Section 5.0, ``Environmental Consideration,'' of 
the NRC staff's Safety Evaluation (ADAMS Accession No. ML16363A436), 
these exemptions meet the eligibility criteria for categorical 
exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to 10 
CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact statement or environmental 
assessment needs to be prepared in connection with the issuance of the 
exemption.
    4. These exemptions are effective as of the date of its issuance.

III. License Amendment Request

    By letter dated September 9, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML16253A204), the licensee requested that the NRC amend the COLs for 
VEGP, Units 3 and 4, COLs NPF-91 and NPF-92. The proposed amendment is 
described in Section I of this document.
    The Commission has determined that the application complies with 
the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as 
amended (the Act), and the Commission's rules and regulations. The 
Commission has made appropriate findings as required by the Act and the 
Commission's rules and regulations in 10 CFR chapter I, which are set 
forth in the license amendment.
    A notice of consideration of issuance of amendment to the facility 
COL, proposed no significant hazards consideration determination, and 
opportunity for a hearing in connection with these actions, was 
published in the Federal Register on October 11, 2016 (81 FR 70186). No 
comments were received during the 30-day comment period.
    The Commission has determined that these amendments satisfy the 
criteria for categorical exclusion in accordance with 10 CFR 51.22. 
Therefore, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact 
statement or environmental assessment need be prepared for these 
amendments.

IV. Conclusion

    Using the reasons set forth in the combined safety evaluation, the 
staff granted the exemptions and issued the amendments that the 
licensee requested on September 9, 2016. The exemptions and amendments 
were issued on February 9, 2017, as part of a combined package to the 
licensee (ADAMS accession no. ML16363A398).

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 13th day of March 2017.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jennifer Dixon-Herrity,
Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New Reactor Licensing, Office of 
New Reactors.
[FR Doc. 2017-05684 Filed 3-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

14756 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 22, 2017 / Notices

I. Introduction ML16363A409 and ML16363A420, III. License Amendment Request
The NRC is granting exemptions from respectively. A summary of the
By letter dated September 9, 2016
paragraph B of section III, ‘‘Scope and amendment documents is provided in
(ADAMS Accession No. ML16253A204),
Contents,’’ of appendix D, ‘‘Design Section III of this document.
the licensee requested that the NRC
Certification Rule for the AP1000,’’ to II. Exemption amend the COLs for VEGP, Units 3 and
part 52 of title 10 of the Code of Federal 4, COLs NPF–91 and NPF–92. The
Regulations (10 CFR) and issuing Reproduced below is the exemption
proposed amendment is described in
License Amendment Nos. 69 and 68 to document issued to Vogtle Units 3 and
Section I of this document.
COLs, NPF–91 and NPF–92 Unit 4. It makes reference to the
combined safety evaluation that The Commission has determined that
respectively, to the licensee. The the application complies with the
exemptions are required by paragraph provides the reasoning for the findings
made by the NRC (and listed under Item standards and requirements of the
A.4 of section VIII, ‘‘Processes for Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended
Changes and Departures,’’ appendix D, 1) in order to grant the exemption:
(the Act), and the Commission’s rules
to 10 CFR part 52 to allow the licensee 1. In a letter dated September 9, 2016,
and regulations. The Commission has
to depart from Tier 1 information. With the licensee requested from the
made appropriate findings as required
the requested amendment, the licensee Commission an exemption from the
by the Act and the Commission’s rules
sought proposed changes that would provisions of 10 CFR part 52, appendix
and regulations in 10 CFR chapter I,
revise the updated final safety analysis D, Section III.B, as part of license
which are set forth in the license
report (UFSAR) in the form of amendment request 16–022, ‘‘IDS Fuse
amendment.
departures from the incorporated plant- Isolation Panel Additions (LAR–16–
022).’’ A notice of consideration of issuance
specific DCD Tier 2 information. The of amendment to the facility COL,
proposed amendment also involves For the reasons set forth in Section 3.1
proposed no significant hazards
related changes to plant-specific Tier 1 of the NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation,
consideration determination, and
information, with corresponding which can be found in ADAMS under
opportunity for a hearing in connection
changes to the associated COL Accession No. ML16363A436, the
with these actions, was published in the
Appendix C information that revise Commission finds that:
Federal Register on October 11, 2016
information concerning the details of A. The exemption is authorized by (81 FR 70186). No comments were
the Class 1E dc and uninterruptible law; received during the 30-day comment
power supply system (IDS), specifically B. the exemption presents no undue period.
adding seven Class 1E fuse panels to the risk to public health and safety; The Commission has determined that
IDS design. These proposed changes C. the exemption is consistent with these amendments satisfy the criteria for
provide electrical isolation between the the common defense and security; categorical exclusion in accordance
non-Class 1E IDS battery monitors and D. special circumstances are present with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant
their respective Class 1E battery banks. in that the application of the rule in this
Part of the justification for granting to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental
circumstance is not necessary to serve impact statement or environmental
the exemptions was provided by the the underlying purpose of the rule;
review of the amendments. Because the assessment need be prepared for these
E. the special circumstances outweigh amendments.
exemption is necessary in order to issue
any decrease in safety that may result
the requested license amendment, the IV. Conclusion
from the reduction in standardization
NRC granted the exemptions and issued
caused by the exemption; and Using the reasons set forth in the
the amendments concurrently, rather
than in sequence. This included issuing F. the exemption will not result in a combined safety evaluation, the staff
a combined safety evaluation containing significant decrease in the level of safety granted the exemptions and issued the
the NRC staff’s review of both the otherwise provided by the design. amendments that the licensee requested
exemption request and the license 2. Accordingly, the licensee is granted on September 9, 2016. The exemptions
amendment. The exemptions met all an exemption from the certified DCD and amendments were issued on
applicable regulatory criteria set forth in Tier 1 information, with corresponding February 9, 2017, as part of a combined
10 CFR 50.12, 10 CFR 52.7, and Section changes to Appendix C of the COLs as package to the licensee (ADAMS
VIII.A.4 of appendix D to 10 CFR part described in the licensee’s request dated accession no. ML16363A398).
52. The license amendments were found September 9, 2016. This exemption is Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 13th day
to be acceptable as well. The combined related to, and necessary for, the of March 2017.
safety evaluation is available in ADAMS granting of License Amendment Nos. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
under Accession No. ML16363A436. 69/68, which is being issued Jennifer Dixon-Herrity,
Identical exemption documents concurrently with this exemption. Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New
(except for referenced unit numbers and 3. As explained in Section 5.0, Reactor Licensing, Office of New Reactors.
license numbers) were issued to the ‘‘Environmental Consideration,’’ of the [FR Doc. 2017–05684 Filed 3–21–17; 8:45 am]
licensee for VEGP Units 3 and 4 (COLs NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation (ADAMS BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
NPF–91 and NPF–92). The exemption Accession No. ML16363A436), these
documents for VEGP Units 3 and 4 can exemptions meet the eligibility criteria
be found in ADAMS under Accession for categorical exclusion set forth in 10
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY
Nos. ML16363A422 and ML16363A424, CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to COMMISSION
respectively. The exemption is 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental
reproduced (with the exception of impact statement or environmental [NRC–2017–0001]
abbreviated titles and additional assessment needs to be prepared in
citations) in Section II of this document. connection with the issuance of the Sunshine Act Meeting Notice
The amendment documents for COLs exemption.
NPF–91 and NPF–92 are available in 4. These exemptions are effective as of DATE: Weeks of March 20, 27, April 3,
ADAMS under Accession Nos. the date of its issuance. 10, 17, 24, 2017.

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Document Created: 2017-03-22 03:58:33
Document Modified: 2017-03-22 03:58:33

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Exemption and combined license amendment; issuance.
Dates		The exemption and amendment were issued on February 9, 2017.
Contact		Paul Kallan, Office of New Reactors, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-2809; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 14755